| ATHLETICS
The Virden High School “Bulldogs” athletic program enjoyed many successes throughout the years. Several Regional and Sectional team titles were won. Also a few appearances in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 of IHSA State Tourneys were enjoyed. On an individual level there were several medalists in track & field including some state championship performances.
We are missing many bits of information including the school fight song. If you have other items you would like to see posted on this page please write to us at eganann@sbclgobal.net.
BOYS FOOTBALL
The boys football program offered many great memories for the folks of Virden to enjoy. The Bulldogs had a total of 7 undefeated regular seasons, 19 trips to the IHSA State playoffs, 6 trips to the Sweet 16, and 3 trips to the Elite 8. It is also noted in the IHSA record books that the Bulldogs of 1926 recorded 8 shutouts during their season, and they only faced 8 opponents that year!
The IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) only shows the program beginning in 1944. However, research conducted by Phil Shadid found that the program was in place as early as 1912. The information from 1912 through 1935 was supplied by Phil with the remaining records located on the IHSA website.
1912 2-2 Coach J. Pennington
First recorded instance of football at Virden was 1912. .
1918: 1-2 Began season at 1-2, rest of season cancelled due to Flu epidemic.
1919: 2-1 Coal miners strike resulted in closing of schools, forcing cancellation of rest of season.
1926: 7-0-1 Coach Carl Lane
They tied Carlinville 0-0 in first game, then shutout rest of opponents. Scored 253 points. First MSM Conference champs.
1927 7-0-1 Coach Carl Lane
Local newspaper referred to Virden as the “Hornets” but the nickname never caught on with students or the public.
1928 6-2 Coach Carl Lane
1933: played its first night game at Springfield High’s field against Spfld Cathedral (0-0 tie).
1934: nickname “Bulldogs” appeared for first time in local paper because of student vote.
1935: played first night game in Virden, defeated Kincaid 37-6.
**Information from former Bulldog Harry Dubinick (Class of 1944):
“The 1941- 42 season was coached by Ralph Allan who left and went into the United States Navy. His replacement coached the football team but left and was replaced by a Coach Irving who left shortly thereafter, and was replaced Coach Carl Lane. 1942-43 was a total mess. VIrden lost every game in each season. In the 1943-44 season Coach McMullin coached the entire year and for several seasons after. The team lost 40 plus games in a row over the period 1940- 1944. Coach Mac broke that losing streak in his first year. He was quite successful
considering the circumstances. Hope this helps.”
1940-41
1941-42 Coach Ralph Allan
1942-43 Coach Irving/Coach Carl Lane
1943-44 Coach M.O. McMullin
1944-45 5 – 4 Coach M.O. McMullin
1945-46 Coach M.O. McMullin
1946-47 4 – 2 – 1 Coach M.O. McMullin
1947-48 Coach M.O. McMullin
1948-49 4 – 5 Coach M.O. McMullin
1949-50 5 – 4 Coach M.O. McMullin
1950-51 6 – 4 Coach K. Evitt
1951-52 7 – 3 Coach K. Evitt
1952-53 7 – 1 – 1 Coach Joe Kruzick
1953-54 3 – 6 Coach Everette Lamar
1954-55 7 – 2 Coach Jim Lovin
1955-56 6 – 3 Coach Jim Lovin
1956-57 7 – 2 Coach Tom Innis
1957-58 5 – 4 Coach Tom Innis
1958-59 5 – 3 – 1 Coach Tom Innis
1959-60 9 – 0 Undefeated Season!! Coach Tom Innis
1960-61 7 – 2 Coach Tom Innis
1961-62 4 – 5 Coach Tom Innis
1962-63 6 – 3 Coach Tom Innis
1963-64 5 – 4 Coach Tom Innis
1964-65 6 – 3 Coach Eldon “Bud” Grossner
1965-66 5 – 3 – 1 Coach Eldon “Bud” Grossner
1966-67 5 – 4 – 1 Coach Eldon “Bud” Grossner
1967-68 8 – 2 Coach Eldon “Bud” Grossner
1968-69 6 – 2 – 2 Coach Richard Deckard
1969-70 2 – 7 Coach Richard Deckard
1970-71 3 – 7 Coach Fred Thompson
1971-72 2 – 7 Coach Fred Thompson
1972-73 6 – 4 Coach Mike Graville
1973-74 5 – 4 Coach Mike Graville
1974-75 3 – 2 Coach Wayne Joplin (partial)
2 – 2 Coach Jay Lornton (partial)
1975-76 5 – 4 Coach Robert Weber
1976-77 4 – 5 Coach Robert Weber
1977-78 3 – 6 Coach Robert Weber
1978-79 2 – 7 Coach Jerry Lane
1979-80 1 – 8 Coach Jerry Lane
1980-81 6 – 3 Coach Jerry Lane
1981-82 0 – 5 Coach Jerry Lane(partial)
1981-82 0 – 4 Coach Wayne Joplin [partial]
1982-83 0 – 9 Coach John Wilson
1983-84 3 – 6 Coach Don Borgini
1984-85 7 – 2 Coach Don Borgini
1985-86 10 – 1 IHSA Class 2A Sweet 16! Coach Don Borgini
Undefeated Regular Season!
Beat Rushville 24 – 7
Lost to Hamilton 21 – 0
Hamilton lost in semi-finals
1986-87 11 – 2 IHSA Class 2A Elite 8! Coach Don Borgini
Beat Petersburg PORTA 38 – 6
Beat Tremont 30 – 26
Lost to E.St. Louis Assumption 34 – 32
Assumption lost in semi-finals
1987-88 8 – 3 IHSA Class 2A Sweet 16! Coach Don Borgini
Beat Carlyle 24 – 14
Lost to Columbia 35 – 0
Columbia lost in quarter-finals
1988-89 6 – 4 IHSA Class 2A Playoff Qualifier Coach Don Borgini
Lost to Macon 74 – 14
Macon lost in 2nd Round
1989-90 3 – 6 Coach Don Borgini
1990-91 6 – 4 IHSA Class 2A Playoff Qualifier Coach Don Borgini
Lost to Gillespie 42 – 19
Gillespie lost in Championship game
1991-92 10 – 2 IHSA Class 2A Sweet 16! Coach Don Borgini
Beat Shelbyville 14 – 6
Lost to Greenfield 14 – 7
Greenfield lost in Championship game
1992-93 10 – 1 IHSA Class 1A Sweet 16! Coach Don Borgini
Undefeated Regular Season!
Beat Martinsville 18 – 12
Lost to Arcola 26 – 0
Arcola lost in quarter-finals
1993-94 9 – 1 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Don Borgini
Undefeated Regular Season!
Lost to Carrollton 9 – 7
Carrollton lost in 2nd Round
1994-95 5 – 4 Coach Don Borgini
1995-96 7 – 3 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Don Borgini
Lost to Hardin Calhoun 35 – 10
Calhoun lost in quarter-finals
1996-97 11 – 1 IHSA Class 1A Elite 8! Coach Don Borgini
Undefeated Regular Season!
Beat Carrollton 15 – 12
Beat Cerro Gordo 13 – 6
Lost to Greenfield 35 – 34 (O/T)
Greenfield lost in semi-finals
1997-98 9 – 1 IHSA Class 2A Playoff Qualifier Coach Don Borgini
Undefeated Regular Season
Lost to Rushville 28 – 14
Rushville lost in 2nd Round
1998-99 9 – 2 IHSA Class 1A Sweet 16! Coach Don Borgini
Beat Tuscola 39 – 20
Lost to Galena 47 – 12
Galena lost in quarter-finals
1999-00 11 – 1 IHSA Class 1A Elite 8! Coach Don Borgini
Undefeated Regular Season!
Beat Hardin Calhoun 41 – 0
Beat Flanagan 32 – 22
Lost to Dakota 16 – 13
Dakota lost in quarter-finals
2000-01 8 – 2 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Bruce Paisley
Lost to El Paso 13 – 9
El Paso lost in 2nd Round
2001-02 5 – 5 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Bruce Paisley
Lost to Monmouth Yorkwood 36 – 0
Yorkwood lost in quarter-finals
2002-03 2 – 7 Coach Bruce Paisley
2003-04 8 – 3 IHSA Class 2A Sweet 16! Coach Bruce Paisley
Beat Mt. Olive 24 – 14
Lost to Casey-Westfield 34 – 7
Casey-Westfield lost in quarter-finals
2004-05 3 – 6 Coach Bruce Paisley
2005-06 6 – 4 IHSA Class 2A Playoff Qualifier Coach Bruce Paisley
Lost to Decatur St. Theresa 48 – 0
St. Theresa lost in quarter-finals
2006-07 3 – 6 Coach Bruce Paisley
2007-08 5 – 5 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Bruce Paisley
Lost to Greenfield 29 – 20
Greenfield lost in quarter-finals
2008-09 6 – 4 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Bruce Paisley
Lost to Greenfield 15 – 14
Greenfield lost in 2nd Round
2009-10 3 – 6 School’s Final Season Coach Bruce Paisley
School’s overall football record 360 – 247 (.592 winning %)
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
The Lady Bulldog netters of the mid-1980s faired very well on the hard-wood court. The girls won a total of 1 District Championship and 5 Regional Championships, all coming in consecutive years. The team of 1982-83 won the Sectional and advanced to the Sweet 16 round as well under the direction of Coach Dianne Leonard.
1976-77 2 – 12 Coach Mary Alice McNaught
1977-78 5 – 11 Coach Mary Alice McNaught
1978-79 4 – 15 Coach Mary Alice McNaught
1979-80 6 – 11 Coach Dianne Leonard
1980-81 17 – 5 Coach Dianne Leonard
1981-82 20 – 5 District Champions Coach Dianne Leonard
1982-83 22 – 5 IHSA Class ‘A’ Sweet 16 Finalists! Coach Dianne Leonard
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Lost Super-Sectional Match
1983-84 24 – 9 – 1 Regional Champions Coach Dianne Leonard
1984-85 20 – 12 Regional Champions Coach Dianne Leonard
1985-86 9 – 21 Coach Karen Atkins
1986-87 23 – 10 Regional Champions Coach Dianne Leonard
1987-88 Regional Champions Coach Rita Rudd
BOYS BASEBALL
The Virden Bulldogs had several successful seasons, and one to remember for the ages. The team of 1978-79 won the Regional and Sectional championships, advancing to the Elite 8 round of play. The team would lose there to eventual state champion New Athens.
1975-76 8 – 7 Coach Jerry Lane
1976-77 13 – 6 Coach Jerry Lane
1977-78 14 – 7 Coach Jerry Lane
1978-79 14 – 9 Class ‘A’ Elite 8 Finalist Coach Jerry Lane
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Lost to New Athens 11 – 1
New Athens won State Championship
1979-80 18 – 6 Coach Jerry Lane
1980-81 11 – 10 Coach Jerry Lane
2004-05 5 – 20 Coach Steve Humphrey
2008-09 8 – 13 Coach Marty Perry
GIRLS SOFTBALL
The Lady Bulldogs competed on the ball diamond as well. Below are the seasonal records listed on the IHSA website. Please contact us if you have further information regarding the Virden High School softball program.
1991-92 1 – 10 Coach Jim Simmons
1992-93 6 – 10 Coach Jim Simmons
2004-05 4 – 17 Coach Rob Handy
BOYS BASKETBALL
Though football appears to have been king among the Virden boys, there were some great seasons on the basketball court as well. Four Regional Championships were recorded. In addition, the team of 1991-92 advanced to the Sweet 16 round of play after winning the Sectional title. Research conducted by IHSGD’s Phil Shadid discovered that Virden built a new gymnasium in 1921. It was in this year that the basketball program began in full swing, having its first team since 1911.
1924-25 12 – 12 Coach Carl Lane
1925-26 18 – 10 Coach Carl Lane
1926-27 12 – 16 Coach Carl Lane
1927-28 16 – 8 Coach Carl Lane
1928-29 12 – 13 Coach Sam England
1929-30 7 – 15 Coach Sam England
1930-31 11 – 14 Coach Sam England
1931-32 20 – 4 Coach Ira Fanning
1932-33 20 – 3 Coach Ira Fanning
1933-34 14 – 14 Coach Ira Fanning
1934-35 Coach Sam England
1935-36 Coach Sam England
1936-37 18 – 7 Regional Champions Coach Sam England
1937-38 Coach Sam England
1938-39 Coach Pop Mahan
1939-40 Coach Pop Mahan
1940-41 Coach Pop Mahan
1943-44 18 – 10 Coach Pop Mahan
1944-45 14 – 14 Coach Pop Mahan
1945-46 15 – 10 Coach Pop Mahan
1946-47 10 – 14 Coach Pop Mahan
1947-48 12 – 15 Coach Pop Mahan
1948-49 19 – 6 Coach Pop Mahan
1949-50 7 – 17 Coach Ken Evitt
1950-51 2 – 20 Coach Ken Evitt
1951-52 9 – 13 Coach Joe Krusick
1952-53 8 – 14 Coach Everett Lamar
1953-54 19 – 8 Coach Everett Lamar
1954-55 11 – 12 Coach Robert Braden
1955-56 10 – 14 Coach Jim Lovin
1956-57 18 – 8 Coach Robert Morrison
1957-58 14 – 11 Coach Robert Morrison
1958-59 17 – 9 Coach Robert Morrison
1959-60 24 – 3 Coach Robert Morrison
1960-61 9 -13 Coach Robert Morrison
1961-62 17 – 3 Coach Bob Cicota
1962-63 15 – 8 Coach Bob Cicota
1963-64 14 – 10 Coach Bob Cicota
1964-65 18 – 9 Coach Bob Cicota
1965-66 10 – 12 Coach Jim Julian
1966-67 6 – 17 Coach Rich Taylor
1967-68 12 – 12 Coach Rich Taylor
1968-69 3 – 19 Coach John Emerson
1969-70 2 – 20 Coach John Emerson
1970-71 2 – 20 Coach Stan Girdler
1971-72 9 – 13 Coach Stan Girdler
1972-73 13 – 11 Coach Stan Girdler
1973-74 4 – 16 Coach Stan Girdler
1974-75 12 – 15 Coach Larry Mosley
1975-76 16 – 12 Coach Mike Kaczmarz
1976-77 20 – 8 Coach Mike Kaczmarz
1977-78 19 – 9 Regional Champions Coach Mike Kaczmarz
1978-79 21 – 6 Coach Mike Kaczmarz
1979-80 12 – 11 Coach Mike Kaczmarz
1980-81 15 – 11 Coach Mike Kaczmarz
1981-82 3 – 19 Coach Brian Hill
1982-83 11 – 14 Coach Brian Hill
1983-84 9 – 15 Coach Roger Albright
1984-85 9 – 16 Coach Roger Albright
1985-86 13 – 14 Coach Al Taylor
1986-87 3 – 19 Coach Al Taylor
1987-88 6 – 16 Coach Al Taylor
1988-89 10 – 15 Coach Al Taylor
1989-90 5 – 17 Coach Jerry O’Brien
1990-91 11 – 14 Coach Jerry O’Brien
1991-92 27 – 3 IHSA Class ‘A’ Sweet 16!! Coach Jerry O’Brien
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Sweet 16 Finalist
Lost to Augusta Southeastern 77-50
Southeastern finished 4th
1992-93 21 – 5 Coach Jerry O’Brien
1993-94 20 – 8 Coach Jerry O’Brien
1994-95 4 – 19 Coach Kerry Crum
1995-96 9 – 15 Coach Scott Lewis
1996-97 10 – 14 Coach Scott Lewis
1997-98 20 – 7 Coach Scott Lewis
1998-99 13 – 14 Coach Scott Lewis
1999-00 16 – 13 Regional Champions Coach Scott Lewis
2000-01 22 – 6 Coach Joe Oller
2001-02 6 – 18 Coach Joe Oller
2002-03 9 – 16 Coach Joe Oller
2003-04 9 – 16 Coach Joe Oller
2004-05 6 – 20 Coach Bob Etter
2005-06 12 – 14 Coach Brent Stewart
2006-07 5 – 18 Coach Brent Stewart
2007-08 2 – 19 Coach Marty Perry
2008-09 6 – 17 Coach Marty Perry
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Lady Bulldogs won a Regional Championship in 1995 as well. There are several missing season records and coaches names. If you have this information please contact us.
1977-78 1 – 9 Coach Kathy Nichols
1978-79 1 – 16 Coach Peter Genta
1979-80 0 – 17 Coach Mary Anne McNaught
1980-81 4 – 17 Coach Wayne Joplin
1981-82 5 – 17 Coach Wayne Joplin
1982-83 6 – 17 Coach Wayne Joplin
1983-84 0 – 22 Coach Wayne Joplin
1984-85 0 – 23 Coach Wayne Joplin
1985-86 4 – 19 Coach Wayne Joplin
1986-87 2 – 17 Coach Angela Dorks
1987-88 Coach Loren Fouts
——
1994-95 Virden Class ‘A’ Regional Champs Coach Lynn Johnson
Semi-Final Beat Hillsboro 69-53
Title Game Beat Carlinville 62-41
White Hall North Greene Sectional
Semi-Final lost to Carrollton 72-46
——
2008-09 8 – 14 Coach Jon Langellier
BOYS TRACK & FIELD
There were many individual athletes in Virden High School’s history who earned medals at the IHSA State Track meet. The best of the boys efforts came in 1998 when Steve Royer won the IHSA Class ‘A’ State Championship in the high jump! In all, a total of 16 medals were earned by the Virrden High School boys thinclads.
1921B Individual Medalist
?? Belton 220 Yd, Hurdles 4TH Place
1922B Individual Medalists
?? Belton 220 Yd. Hurdles 2ND Place
?? Bradley 120 Yd. Hurdles 4TH Place
?? Hopson 220 Yd. Dash 4TH Place
1938 Individual Medalist
James Bruna 200 Yd. Hurdles 3RD Place
1944 Individual Medalist
Jim Evans 880 Yd. Run 4TH Place
1975A Individual Medalist
Tim Coleman Long Jump 8TH Place
1976A Individual Medalist
John Molen 120 Yd. Hurdles 7TH Place
1981A Individual Medalist
Todd Maddox High Jump 5TH Place
1983A Individual Medalist
Brian Johnson 300 Meter Hurdles 3RD Place
1985A Individual Medalist
Mike Hamman High Jump 4TH Place
1986A Individual Medalist
Mike Hamman High Jump 4TH Place
1992A Individual Medalist
Chris Scheldt High Jump 5TH Place
1998A Individual Medalist
Steve Royer High Jump STATE CHAMPION!!
1999A Individual Medalists
Steve Royer High Jump 4TH Place
Aaron Smith Pole Vault 4TH Place
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
The lady tracksters won several medals as well at the IHSA State Track Meet finals. A total of 11 individual medals were earned by the girls. The best efforts were recorded by Lindsey Defevers, who was the IHSA Class ‘A’ State Champ in the shot put in 2002 (and who won a total of 5 medals between 2000 and 2002), and by Breanna Branson who won back-to-back state titles in the same event (Class ‘A’ shot put) in 2004 and 2005!
1989A Individual Medalist
Carmen Wolfe 200 Meter Dash 7TH Place
1997A Individual Medalist
Darcy Lane 300 Meter Hurdles 5TH Place
1999A Individual Medalist
Darcy Lane 300 Meter Hurdles 4TH Place
2000A Individual Medalist
Lindsey Defevers Discus 9TH Place
2001A Individual Medalist
Lindsey Defevers Shot Put 2ND Place
Discus 3RD Place
2002A Individual Medalist
Lindsey Defevers Shot Put STATE CHAMPION!!
Discus 4TH Place
2004A Individual Medalist
Breanna Branson Shot Put STATE CHAMPION!!
2005A Individual Medalist
Breanna Branson Shot Put STATE CHAMPION!!
2008A Individual Medalist
Rose Sanders 100 Meter Dash 7TH Place
BOYS GOLF
The boys competed in golf as well. The linksters had two nice season records in 1963 and 1964. If you have any further information on the golf program at VHS please contact us.
1962-63 10 – 6 Coach Dick Lounsberry
1963-64 12 – 4 Coach Dick Lounsberry
BASS FISHING
The boys proved they had some talent in the angling business as well. The team qualified for the State Bass Fishing Tournament in 2008-09.
2008-09 Team Qualified for State Tournament Coach Bruce Paisley
COMPETITVE CHEERLEADING
The cheerleading team of 2005-06 won a Sectional title and qualified for the IHSA State Tournament under the tutilage of Coach Dawn Willoughby.
2005-06 Team Qualified for State Tournament Coach Dawn Willoughby
Sectional Champions
DRAMA
Athletics were not all that the Virden HIgh School kids were talented in. The school competed in other IHSA competitions as well including Drama. In 1954-55 in fact, the team won a Sectional title and advanced to the IHSA State finals.
1954-55 Team Qualified for State Tournament
Sectional Champions
SCHOLASTIC BOWL
Virden kids were afforded many opportunities to compete in various events. Included in this was the schools Scholastic Bowl teams.
2008-09 3 – 9 Coach Angie McCall
SPEECH SWEEPSTAKES
More IHSA State hardware was earned by the Speech Sweepstakes teams of the mid-1950s. Two District Championships and a Sectional title added to the many talents of the Virden High School students.
1952-53 District Champions
1954-55 District Champions
Sectional Champions
OTHER EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
We are certain that band and chorus were offered at Virden High School. It is likely that other clubs and activities such as FFA were offered as well. If you have any information or memories you would like to share regarding activites offered at Virden High School please contact us via the means listed below.
NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE
As with every page, we are seeking some in-put from an Virden High School fan or alum regarding the many great successes accomplished at the school. If you can provide us with information please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or via “real” mail at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva Ave.
Chicago, Il. 60631
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| Submitted by Mark Rutherford |
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